Have you ever looked around your home and felt like something was… off? You have nice things and you’ve tried to make it cozy, but it just doesn’t have that polished, high-end feel you see in magazines. You are not alone. So many people make tiny design mistakes without even realizing it. The good news is that these are often simple things that are easy to fix.
You don’t need a huge budget to make your home look expensive. You just need to know the secrets. We are going to share the top reasons your home looks cheap and give you simple, affordable ways to fix them. Get ready to transform your space from basic to beautiful, one small change at a time.
1. Your Lighting is a Bit… Dated
Let’s start with something you probably see every day: the ceiling lights. Many homes come with standard flush-mount lights that are often called “boob lights.” Builders love them because they are cheap and practical. But they can make a room feel dated and generic.
The Easy Fix: Swapping out a light fixture is one of the biggest-impact changes you can make. You don’t need to spend a lot. Stores like Amazon, Home Depot, and Wayfair have tons of stylish and affordable options. Look for a semi-flush mount light, a small chandelier, or a modern drum-shaped fixture. This one affordable upgrade will instantly elevate your room.
2. A Tangle of Cords is on Display
Nothing screams “cluttered” like a nest of wires hanging from your TV or computer. Exposed cords make a space look messy and unfinished. It’s one of those small details that makes a huge difference in how clean and high-end a room feels.
The Easy Fix: Hiding cords is simple. You can buy a cord concealer kit. These are plastic channels that stick to your wall, and you can even paint them to match your wall color. For a totally seamless look, you can have an electrician run the cords behind the drywall. This is a more involved project, but it creates a perfectly clean look.
3. Your Home Looks Like a Showroom
We all love a good trip to IKEA. They have great, affordable furniture. But here’s a common mistake: buying everything from one store. When your sofa, coffee table, and media unit are all from the same place, your room can look like a page from a catalog instead of a unique home. This is one of the biggest reasons your home looks cheap.
The Easy Fix: Mix it up! The secret to high-end interior design is creating a collected, layered look. Keep your favorite IKEA piece, but pair it with furniture from other stores. Try a vintage find, something from a local shop, or a piece from another big-box store. Mixing styles, textures, and sources makes your home feel personal and curated.
4. You Bought the Whole Matching Set
Walking into a furniture store and buying a perfectly matched set of a sofa, loveseat, and armchair seems easy. But this is another one of those cheap decorating mistakes that designers avoid. Matching sets can feel uninspired and lack personality.
The Easy Fix: Break up the set! If you already have one, move one piece to another room. If you’re shopping, buy pieces individually. Choose a sofa in a neutral fabric, then find armchairs in a complementary color or pattern. A different ottoman can add a new texture. This approach creates a much more interesting and expensive-looking room.
5. Your Wall Art is a Little Too Common
Art is what brings personality to your walls. But if you grab the same mass-produced canvas print that everyone has, it can cheapen your decor. While these pieces are affordable and easy to find, they don’t feel special or unique.
The Easy Fix: Look for art that feels more personal. You don’t have to buy expensive paintings. Frame beautiful photos you’ve taken, find unique prints on Etsy, or look for framed fabric or abstract pieces at stores like HomeGoods. The goal is to find something that isn’t on everyone else’s wall.
6. Your Furniture is Hugging the Walls
A very common instinct is to push all of your furniture against the walls to make a room feel bigger. Surprisingly, this often has the opposite effect. It can create a strange, empty space in the middle of the room and make the layout feel stiff and unplanned.
The Easy Fix: Pull your furniture away from the walls. Even pulling your sofa forward just a few inches can make a big difference. Create cozy conversation areas by grouping furniture together. This allows for better flow and makes the room feel more inviting and professionally designed.
| Furniture Placement Tip | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Pull Sofa Off the Wall | Creates a sense of space and better traffic flow. |
| Create Conversation Areas | Makes the room feel more intimate and functional. |
| Anchor on a Rug | Defines the space and connects all the pieces. |
7. Your Rug is Floating in the Room
A rug that is too small for the space is a classic design mistake. A small rug floating in the middle of the floor can make the entire room look smaller and disconnected. The purpose of a rug is to anchor the furniture and define the space.
The Easy Fix: Get the right size rug. This is one of the best affordable home upgrades you can make. At a minimum, the front two legs of your sofa and chairs should sit on the rug. In a dining room, you should be able to pull the chairs out and still have them on the rug.
| Room | Bed Size | Recommended Rug Size |
|---|---|---|
| Bedroom | Queen | 8′ x 10′ |
| Bedroom | King | 9′ x 12′ |
| Living Room | Small | 6′ x 9′ |
| Living Room | Large | 8′ x 10′ or 9′ x 12′ |
8. Shoes are Piled Up at the Door
Your entryway is the first thing guests see. If it’s a messy pile of shoes, it immediately gives a cheap and cluttered impression. An open shoe rack can look messy even when it’s organized.
The Easy Fix: Opt for closed storage. A slim shoe cabinet is a fantastic solution because it hides the shoes away and doesn’t take up much space. Another great option is a storage bench where you can tuck shoes inside. A clean, clear entryway instantly makes your home feel more high-end.
9. You’re Still Using Tapestries
Tapestries are popular in dorm rooms for a reason: they are an easy way to cover a large, blank wall. However, in a grown-up space, a droopy, unframed tapestry can look unfinished and cheapen the overall vibe.
The Easy Fix: If you love the bohemian look, achieve it in a more polished way. Frame a piece of fabric you love, hang a large piece of art, or create a gallery wall. For adding warmth and texture, focus on things like throw pillows, blankets, and well-made curtains instead.
10. Twinkle Lights are Everywhere
Twinkle lights can feel magical around the holidays, but using them as everyday indoor decor can quickly look juvenile. Draping them around a headboard or window just doesn’t give off a sophisticated, high-end look.
The Easy Fix: Create mood lighting with better tools. Use a mix of lamps—a floor lamp, a table lamp, and maybe a small accent lamp—to create a warm and inviting glow. Candles (real or battery-operated) are another beautiful way to add ambiance without looking like a college student.
FAQs
What things make your house look cheap?
Many small things can make a house look cheap. Visible cords and clutter are big ones. Matching furniture sets also look cheap. A rug that is too small for the room is a common mistake. Old light fixtures can make a space feel dated.
How to make a home look expensive on a budget?
You can do a lot for a little money. Start by decluttering every room. Paint your walls a fresh, new color. Buy a new light fixture for your main room. Add some throw pillows with texture. Fresh flowers or a green plant helps too.
What makes a home look outdated?
Old styles can make a home look dated. Popcorn ceilings are a big sign of this. Wood paneling on walls can also look old. Colors like avocado green or dusty rose feel outdated. Fussy, heavy curtains can date a room quickly.
What makes a room look tacky?
A room can look tacky for a few reasons. Too many clashing patterns is one. Fake plants that look very plastic are another. Using too many different themes in one room can look messy. Cliché word art on walls can also feel tacky.
What things make you look cheap?
Your home is a reflection of you. A messy home can give a poor impression. Ignoring small details can look careless. This includes clutter or broken items. A clean, thoughtful home makes your personal style look much more polished.
From Cheap to Chic: You Can Do It!
Avoiding these common interior design mistakes is the key to a beautiful home. As you can see, making your home look more expensive is not about spending a lot of money. It’s about making smart, thoughtful choices.
By simply swapping a light fixture, hiding some cords, or rearranging your furniture, you can dramatically elevate your home decor. Start with one of these tips today and see what a difference it makes.
What’s one small change you are excited to make in your home? Share your plans in the comments below
